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He had even begun planning how he would tame Gu Jiuque when the time came.

"I've long heard that the young master of Antique Appreciation Studio inherited Old Master Gu's exceptional skill in authentication and dating. It wouldn't be impossible for you to take Old Master Gu's place and accompany me abroad—"

"No!" Old Master Gu frowned and cut Zhou Mu off. "Country B is too far away. I won't feel at ease letting you go abroad alone with someone of unknown background."

Zhou Mu gave a wry smile. "Old Master, it's not as though I'm a bad person."

"You can know a person's face, but not their heart." Old Master Gu said coolly, "I didn't mean to say you are a bad person. It's simply wise to be cautious. I hope Boss Zhou will understand."

What could Zhou Mu say? He could only continue smiling wryly and shaking his head.

Old Master Gu looked at Gu Jiuque and asked with a frown, "You really want to go?"

Gu Jiuque nodded.

In his previous life, he had unwittingly fallen into the many traps these people had carefully laid for the Gu family. Not only had his family been destroyed and its members killed, but even the Gu family's centuries-old legacy had been handed over to others. Given a second life, Gu Jiuque had no intention of sitting still and waiting for death.

Since he knew full well that these people harbored evil intentions, why should he keep hoping, like a fool, for those hyenas to have a conscience? Why should he let those sewer rats keep hurting his family?

Fire, car accidents, malicious schemes and false accusations... Gu Jiuque had had enough of the endless malice lurking in the shadows. Since they had plotted so painstakingly, since they had never once spared the Gu family, why should he bind himself with conscience and morality?

Perhaps Heaven had allowed him to live again so that he could strike first and fight his enemies to the death.

Lowering his eyes, Gu Jiuque said to his grandfather, "I'm already eighteen this year. I'm not a child anymore, Grandpa. Don't worry. I definitely won't bring shame upon the Gu family."

If he did not go, what if the Jin family came up with some other way to harm his grandfather? Rather than wait until then and be caught off guard, he might as well play along now. It would be a shame to waste all the effort they had put into their scheme.

Gu Jiuque did not know that, in Zhou Mu's eyes, his obedient appearance once again made him unbearably restless.

Old Master Gu frowned deeply and stared at Gu Jiuque for a long while before suddenly sighing. "If you want to go, then go. You're right. You're grown now; it's time you went out and gained some experience. When I was your age, I was already carrying a bundle all over the country."

Zhou Mu brightened at once and immediately said, "Old Master, rest assured. With me there, I'll certainly take good care of—"

Before he could finish, Old Master Gu interrupted him again. "I'm going with him."

Zhou Mu froze for a moment, then was overcome with delight. "Good! Good! This is truly wonderful!"

Zhou Mu slapped his thigh excitedly. Anyone unaware of the situation might have thought he was truly so delighted because he admired Old Master Gu's discerning eye.

Seeing this, Gu Jiuque smiled faintly as well.

For a moment, the two people, each harboring their own ulterior motives, actually looked almost harmonious together.

Chapter 20

Zhou Mu looked relaxed as he said enthusiastically, "The auction is this weekend. Since Old Master and Young Master have accepted my invitation, we might as well book the plane tickets first. As for your passports—"

Gu Jiuque looked at Zhou Mu with slight puzzlement. "Boss Zhou, aren't you planning to charter a plane?"

Zhou Mu: "..."

Zhou Mu looked at Gu Jiuque in surprise. "Charter a plane?"

"Isn't that the plan?" Gu Jiuque smiled. "I only thought that since Boss Zhou came all this way because of my grandfather's reputation, invited him abroad to attend an auction, and was even willing to pay fifteen million as compensation..."

Zhou Mu's expression visibly turned strange. "Fifteen million?"

"Isn't it?" Gu Jiuque cast Zhou Mu a casual glance.

Zhou Mu: "..."

Zhou Mu suddenly felt that Gu Jiuque's temperament was not as aloof, lofty, and otherworldly as he had imagined!

Wasn't this man the young master of Antique Appreciation Studio? The noble young master of a family of cultural relic restorers with centuries of heritage, yet money was all he talked about. Gu Jiuque was really rather mercenary at heart.

Zhou Mu grumbled inwardly. Gu Jiuque, completely unaware, continued in an indifferent tone, "Since you're willing to spend fifteen million to hire an appraiser, the item you have your eye on must be even more valuable. To ensure nothing goes wrong, shouldn't you bring more security personnel?"

"If so, wouldn't chartering a plane be more convenient?"

Zhou Mu's expression was subtle. He glanced at Gu Jiuque and explained with a smile, "Young Master has considered things very thoroughly. We'll fly business class on the way there and charter a plane for the return trip."

Gu Jiuque smiled and nodded, saying in agreement, "Boss Zhou is truly meticulous with his calculations."

Zhou Mu: "..."

Gu Jiuque sighed and said regretfully, "What a pity. I originally thought Boss Zhou was very wealthy and would surely charter a plane, which was why I persuaded Grandpa to take me along so I could broaden my horizons. I didn't expect Boss Zhou to have other plans. My grandfather is old and cannot endure long-distance travel, so I hope Boss Zhou will forgive us. Please find someone else."

Grandpa Gu frowned and began, "I—"

"Grandpa!" Gu Jiuque raised his voice slightly, interrupting him. "I really do want to use this opportunity to go out and see more of the world, but I care even more about your health. There are so many matters at home right now, and we still need to rebuild the west wing. If Boss Zhou hadn't sincerely invited us, I wouldn't have wanted to create extra trouble in the first place—"

"Isn't it just chartering a plane to Country B?" Zhou Mu interrupted Gu Jiuque with a smile, his tone casual. "That was my original plan as well. It's just that, on my way here, I heard that one of my competitors had people closely watching my itinerary. To be honest with you, sir, that competitor and I are both trying to win over the same investor. That investor is particularly fond of antiques, which is why I wanted to cater to his tastes. This trip to Country B for the auction was also meant to keep a low profile and avoid attracting attention. Since Old Master is not in good health, we'll proceed according to the original plan and charter a plane. I trust that, with Old Master's discerning eye, I won't be disappointed."

Zhou Mu paused slightly, then smiled at Gu Jiuque. "I wonder whether Young Master is satisfied with my arrangements now?"